SYLVIA'S BAIL BONDS

Frequently Asked Questions

Unscrupulous Techniques?

Many bondsmen are using unscrupulous techniques to lure you into posting a bail bond with them.

Online Forms

Filling out online forms is the most common technique they use to get information on defendants. They take the information, go and post a bond on the defendant before being paid, and claim you have authorized the bond. Once the defendant is released, they demand payment or threaten to place the defendant back into custody. This is an illegal practice and you should notify the Department of Insurance immediately if this has happened to you or someone you know.
California Department of Insurance

Ghost Offices

Some Bondsmen claim to have offices in many cities, but the reality is that these are just so called “ghost offices”. These offices often do not exist. They may have a posting agent, but not from the location claimed. Most of these “agents” want to meet up with you at weird locations (such as a bar, a fast food parking lot or even the jail). They will ask for cash only, write down all of your pertinent information and disappear from sight. We have people calling us asking what they can do to not fall pray to these rogue bondsman or con artists, who are waiting around jails, courthouses or online. Be aware that these people are out there to take advantage of you, not to help you. We have been in the community since 1935 and have seen this go on over time. It is imperative that you make sure they have an actual office where you can visit, or know the bondsman personally (if they work out of their home) in case you have questions or need to make a payment. You do not want your personal information out where anyone can get it. Always ask for their physical address, especially if you don’t know them, and if they approach you (which is illegal to do even if they say they are a “licensed solicitor” because there is no such thing), just kindly say no thank you and walk away.

Unsolicited Phone Call

If you get an unsolicited phone call out of the blue, and you never gave anyone your number to call, then try to get their information first, for instance their phone number and name of agent or agency they work for, and ask how they got your number. That way it can be reported to the Department of Insurance right after the incident happened.

Bait And Switch

Another technique they use is that they promise you a ridiculously low-rate (in other words, below the industry standards) and no-interest payments. These unscrupulous bondsmen are using the “bait and switch” technique. They promise you one thing and in the end charge you something else. It is also illegal for a bondsman to charge you interest, period. Again if anything previously described has happened to you or someone you know, please contact the Department of Insurance immediately, and together we can stop allowing these people to keep on practicing criminal behavior.
Getting Help from the California Department of Insurance

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How collateral works?

What is Collateral?

Collateral is sometimes required to secure a bail bond. Examples of some types of collateral are real property, cash, pink slips, etc. Depending on the amount of bail, collateral may not always be necessary. All collateral is returned when the bond has been exonerated and all legal responsibility of the co-signer (indemnitor) has been met.

What is and isn't good collateral?

Items that we considered good collateral are: unencumbered and encumbered (depending on how much equity) real estate is good. Items that are considered major collateral such as a car, boat, motor home, etc. are deemed good.

When do I get my collateral back?

Upon completion of the court case.

The charges are dropped.

The person is found innocent at trial.

The person is sentenced at trial.

When bail is exonerated.

Of course, the collateral will only by returned if there is no outstanding balance due on the premium. The bail bond agent has a fiduciary (formal legal) responsibility to safeguard all collateral.

What happens if the person does not appear in court as promised?

If the person fails to appear in court (jumps bail) a warrant is issued for their arrest. The judge either puts a bail amount greater than the original amount or a no-bail warrant is issued. Because the bondsman has a legal contract with the co-signer (indemnitor) the co-singer is contacted right away. The bondsman has a limited amount of time to return the defendant back to the court before the court issues a demand on the bond. (The court wants the money) and the co-signers obligation to pay the full amount of the bail per their contractual agreement comes due. All the cost incurred for the defendant’s failure to appear falls onto the co-signer. Some forfeiture may be errors of the court made by the clerks, attorneys, the defendant and occasionally a judge but can be rectified with re-assumption papers for a minimal fee.

How Bail Works?

When someone is charged with a crime most often they are entitled to bail. The amount of bail is set by The Superior Court Judges. An individual contacts a bail agent and enters into a contractual agreement for release of a defendant. The defendant must appear in court each and every time the judge requires them to do so. For this service, there is a premium charged. The person entering into the contract with the bonding company is not released of their responsibility until all obligations have been met and the bond is exonerated. In some cases, collateral may or may not be necessary.

Why bail out your loved one immediately?

The bail amount may change if you wait for the defendant to go to court.

Other holds may be placed on the defendant while in custody such as a 1275 hold, which could be placed on the defendant and a 1275 hold requires additional approval from the court for the release of the defendant.

It is always best to fight your case outside of jail, you do have other options, call us today if you have any questions, we have an expert bondsman available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How much does a Bail Bond Cost?

The cost of a Bail Bond varies because the circumstances are different with each defendant. We will meet or beat any qualified offer. Just call Sylvia’s Bail Bonds at (310) 547-2000 or (562) 432-7910 and we will answer any and all of your questions.

Why use Sylvia’s Bail Bonds and not the “other” companies?

We’ve been a family owned business since 1935.

Most employee’s have been here 10+ years.

None of your personal information is ever accessible to anyone. All files are locked away and never put on the computer.

No hidden fees. If we bail you out and for some reason your bail is raised, we only charge the difference between the old bond and the new bond. (Sub-Bond.)

Not only do we write bail anywhere in California, we write bail in every State that bail is accepted.

We have an actual office staffed 24/7 not just a answering service.

We have 24/7 notary service available.

We always work with you if you miss a court date and offer you reassumption papers before sending out fugitive recovery agents (aka) bounty hunters.

We’re experts in 1275 hearings and have a unique system that others can’t match.

We post Federal, State and can also do property bonds.

I Need to Get a Bail Bond – What Information Helps?

If you just found out there is an arrest or bench warrant out for you, your next concern is getting a bail bond. Likewise, a loved one may be in jail and he or she needs to be back to work or just wants to be out of custody. Before speaking to a bail bondsman, it is good to know what helps the bail bondsman quickly write a bond, and in turn, if the bail bondsman has confidence in you, you may be seen as a lower risk and thus, a lower premium than ten percent may be offered. For more information, please click on the Greg Hill link below.